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France to be the Country of Honour at ALL IN, the largest event dedicated to Canadian AI

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MONTREAL, Aug. 26, 2024 /CNW/ – The second edition of ALL IN, the most important event dedicated to Canadian artificial intelligence (AI), will take place in Montreal from September 11 to 12, 2024. Following the outstanding success of its first edition, ALL IN is now expanding its scope with a greater emphasis on global engagement, positioning itself as a key player in the international AI ecosystem. ALL IN is therefore excited to announce France as the Country of Honour, highlighting the strong collaboration between the two countries.

With a rich history of groundbreaking innovations, France has secured its position as a global frontrunner in technology and AI, more specifically. As ALL IN and the entire Canadian AI ecosystem are looking forward to a future of collaborative opportunities with the rest of the world, France will have a presence of choice at ALL IN and will showcase an inspiring ecosystem of AI startups and well-established companies like L’Oréal that are already using AI in their daily operations—some of which are currently working with Canadian AI service and product providers.

Like Canada, France has been at the forefront of AI innovation ever since. It has taken decisive steps to become a global leader in the development and adoption of AI technologies, beginning with its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence launched in 2017—the very same year Canada established the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. As recently as May, France reaffirmed AI as a strategic priority and will invest at least €4 billion in AI as part of the France 2030 economic plan.

Today, over 600 French startups specialize in AI, marking a 24% increase between 2021 and 2023, which underscores the dynamism of the French AI ecosystem. These indicators have led to France becoming the number one country in Europe for foreign investment projects in AI.

France and Canada share a multitude of other similarities, particularly in their efforts to enhance computing power and infrastructure, as well as in fostering the widespread adoption of AI. The French government is leading by example in this area: in sectors such as health, judiciary, education, and defence, the French government is setting a precedent by heavily investing and integrating AI to boost productivity and efficiency.

Both countries are also united in their ambition to develop AI-powered economies. As France works to promote the widespread adoption of AI in business, it is expected that the impact of AI dissemination on the French economy could be massive, with economic growth potentially doubling.

Canada and France support inclusive governance of artificial intelligence to ensure the coherence of AI regulatory frameworks and to promote their convergence. They also aim to harness AI for the public good, given the economic potential and global social consequences of this technological revolution.

Under their respective G7 presidencies in 2018 and 2019, Canada and France worked towards the launch of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), which now has 29 members worldwide. The first two GPAI centres of expertise were opened in Montreal and Paris. Canada and France now welcome the establishment of an integrated partnership between GPAI and the OECD. The AI Action Summit, scheduled for February 2025, will be an opportunity to strengthen this global governance and to undertake concrete actions on AI.

Last week, the program and the list of confirmed speakers have been released online.

Quotes

Canada is pleased to welcome France as the Country of Honour at ALL IN, an important event dedicated to AI. Canada and France have both been at the forefront of AI development. I am pleased to see our partnership continue as both countries work towards the ethical commercialization and adoption of AI to boost productivity and efficiency. I look forward to our continued engagement and collaboration on the advancement of AI.” — The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Government of Canada

France, much like Canada, stands as a beacon of innovation and technological progress. Together, we have the potential to develop an innovative, competitive, and democratic artificial intelligence that upholds our freedoms and our linguistic diversity. I am delighted that France is being honoured at ALL IN which is part of the major international meetings devoted to AI, such as the next Francophonie Summit on October 4 and the AI Action Summit in February 2025 in France. This is a testament to our shared commitment to this technological revolution.” — Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Government of France

“We are extremely pleased to welcome France to ALL IN this year and to continue building upon the close ties between our two nations, especially in the field of AI. Being able to host fellow leading AI nations is a testament to the strength and international reputation that ALL IN has built since its very beginning, and it sets the stage for the months and years ahead.” — Helene Desmarais, Co-Founder & President, ALL IN

“Business France is honoured that France has been designated as the Country of Honour at the ALL IN 2024 event. This event offers an exceptional platform for our French AI companies, startups, and scale-ups to collaborate with leading Canadian and international partners. Less than 6 months before the AI Action Summit in Paris, we are thrilled to welcome among this delegation some of the major players from our French industries, renowned for their commitment to innovation. Business France, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is delighted to contribute to the success of the French delegation and to the future synergies between our two ecosystems.”— Frédéric Rossi, CEO North America, Business France

ALL IN will serve as a dynamic hub for French AI leaders to engage with Canadian and global decision-makers, fostering innovation and strategic alliances. This collaboration also underscores the strong diplomatic relations between France and Canada and reflects ALL IN’s expanding influence on the world stage.

About ALL IN (allinevent.ai)

ALL IN, the most important event dedicated to Canadian artificial intelligence, is an initiative of SCALE AI, Canada’s AI Global Innovation Cluster. Co-organized with CEIMIA, Mila, and supported by the entire Canadian AI ecosystem, ALL IN has become one of Canada’s major tech events, driving innovation and business. Beyond insightful discussions, the event fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing, creating an environment where decision-makers can explore innovative solutions and concrete AI projects, exchange ideas, and forge partnerships to flourish in an AI-driven economy.

SOURCE ALL IN

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The AmeriFlex Group® Celebrates Record-Breaking Year Supporting 53 Advisor Transitions and Bringing more than $3.4 Billion in Total Client Assets to the Firm

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Award-Winning Hybrid RIA is Home to 206 Total Advisors in 29 States, Representing More than $14.6 Billion in Total Client Assets

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The AmeriFlex Group®, a rapidly growing, advisor-owned hybrid RIA that puts financial planning first, today celebrated the completion of a record-breaking year in which it welcomed 53 advisors and increased its total client assets by more than $3.4 billion. The AmeriFlex Group® ended the year with 206 total advisors in 29 states, with approximately $14.6 billion in assets under administration (AUA), an increase of 35% year over year.

The AmeriFlex Group® Founder and CEO, Thomas Goodson, said, “We have seen a significant increase in demand for stability during transition periods. From growing their practice to transitioning out of the business, our innovative programs provide advisors with the solutions they need to reach their goals, regardless of the stage of their career.”

Innovative Programming Driving Growth
The AmeriFlex Group® has long developed forward-thinking approaches and programs to address issues facing advisors.

The firm’s award-winning SuccessionFlex® program allows advisors to authorize a succession and continuity agreement with the firm that includes an option to sell 30% to 40% of their current revenue stream to The AmeriFlex Group® with no minority ownership discount.The AmeriFlex Premier+ platform — a proprietary, high-tech financial planning solution that equips advisors to deliver an elevated service experience and helps clients envision the outcome of their planning goals, leading to more informed financial decisions — opened to affiliated advisors. The AmeriFlex Group® partner advisors can collaborate with the AmeriFlex Premier+ team to create more share of wallet.The AmeriFlex Group® acquired The W Source™ in the spring, bringing in-house this unique professional platform facilitating women-to-women networking opportunities across industries on a local and national level. The strategic acquisition positions the firm to reach its ambitious goal of parity between men and women partners.

The Advisor Transition Network
In 2024, the AmeriFlex Group® launched the Advisor Transition Network (ATN), a national platform designed to connect qualified buyers and sellers of financial advisory practices. The network provides a confidential marketplace where financial advisors can transition their businesses. ATN has established a growing network of prepared buyers representing over 200 qualified advisors.

“By launching the Advisor Transition Network, we have delivered something so many advisors need – a straightforward way to sell their business to a qualified buyer,” Goodson added. “With more than 200 individuals and offices nationwide, supported by the experienced succession specialists at The AmeriFlex Group ®, advisors preparing to depart the industry may not have ever had a better option to transition toward retirement so seamlessly.”

For advisors considering initiating a succession plan within the next five years, The AmeriFlex Group® provides a one-stop-shop to build and execute a plan with the support of an award-winning succession team.

Jesse Kurrasch, The AmeriFlex Group® COO, noted, “Over the past several years, we have delivered customized succession plans that maximize the value of an advisor’s life work.”

Continued Growth Earns Industry Awards
The AmeriFlex Group® was named a finalist in the 2024 Wealth Management Industry Awards category for its succession program. Investment News identified the firm as the fastest-growing RIA in 2024, and Goodson was named the Executive of the Year by the ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES program.

About The AmeriFlex Group:
The AmeriFlex Group® is recognized as The Home for Hybrids® (www.HomeForHybrids.com) – BD/RIA Transitional Wealth Planners™ (financial advisors). The RIA is owned-and-operated by its advisor members and partners. Securities offered through Osaic, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through The AmeriFlex® Group®, an Independent Registered Investment Advisor. Osaic is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic. Insurance is offered independent of Osaic. 8475 W Sunset Road, Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89113.

Media Contact:
Haven Tower Group
Donald C. Cutler
424.317.4864
dcutler@haventower.com 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-ameriflex-group-celebrates-record-breaking-year-supporting-53-advisor-transitions-and-bringing-more-than-3-4-billion-in-total-client-assets-to-the-firm-302345246.html

SOURCE The AmeriFlex Group

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Aperture Announces Strategic Majority Investment from Genstar Capital

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Investment to accelerate growth for national forensic expert services platform through expansion across service offerings and geographies

ARLINGTON, Texas, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aperture, LLC (“Aperture” or the “Company”), a national platform of best-in-class forensic experts, today announced a strategic majority investment from Genstar Capital (“Genstar”), a leading private equity firm focused on investments in targeted segments of the financial services, software, healthcare, and industrials industries.

Aperture is a full-service provider of forensic expert witness services, providing accident reconstruction, premises liability, biomechanical and human factor analysis, construction disputes, and commercial litigation services. Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, the Company services over 11,000 cases annually across its client base that includes law firms, insurance carriers, and corporations. Aperture’s strategic focus on delivering unbiased expertise and fostering deep customer relationships has driven its strong growth, leading to exceptional client retention and customer satisfaction.

The Company has expanded over the past five years through nine acquisitions, diversifying its service lines, geographic reach, and customer base while building world-class operations, facilities, and technology intended to enable experts to better serve customers. Today, Aperture serves over 2,500 clients with 15 offices across the US.

Robert E. Joyce, Jr., CEO and President of Aperture, said, “Aperture is known for the world class expertise of our employees and our client-first approach. We are proud to have built Aperture into both an employer of choice and partner of choice in the industry, enabling professionals to better serve customers and build meaningful careers. Our partnership with Genstar is a testament to the platform we have built and positions us to accelerate our growth strategy, expand our service offerings, and continue delivering tremendous value to our clients.”

Matt McCabe, Director at Genstar, said, “We’ve been following Aperture’s transformation for several years and are proud to partner with Rob and the entire management team as they continue to scale and drive value for their clients. Aperture is well-positioned to achieve outsized growth, and we are excited to invest further in developing new and expanding existing markets, both organically and through M&A.”

Ropes & Gray LLP provided legal counsel and William Blair & Company LLC served as financial advisor to Genstar.

About Aperture

Aperture is a full-service provider of forensic expertise and litigation dispute support services in the areas of accident reconstruction, biomechanical engineering, construction, economic damages, human factors, intellectual property, premises liability, and workplace safety. Aperture’s headquarters is in Arlington, Texas, with additional locations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.aperturellc.com.

About Genstar Capital

Genstar Capital (www.gencap.com) is a leading private equity firm that has been actively investing in high-quality companies for over 30 years. Based in San Francisco, Genstar works in partnership with its management teams and its network of strategic advisors to transform its portfolio companies into industry-leading businesses. Genstar currently has approximately $49 billion of assets under management and targets investments focused on targeted segments of the financial services, software, healthcare, and industrials industries.

Media Contacts:

For Aperture
Chad Smith
VP of Marketing and Business Development
chad.smith@aperturellc.com

For Genstar Capital
FGS Global
GenstarCapital@fgsglobal.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aperture-announces-strategic-majority-investment-from-genstar-capital-302345197.html

SOURCE Genstar Capital

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Poshmark Announces Partnership with Loop to Transform Missed Returns into Resale Opportunities

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The leading fashion resale marketplace empowers consumers to turn non-returnable items into cash, doubling down on commitment to sustainability amid stricter return policies

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Poshmark, a leading fashion resale marketplace powered by a vibrant community, together with Loop, the leading commerce operations platform for Shopify brands, today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership that addresses a common consumer pain point — missing a return window or attempting to return a final sale item — by offering a sustainable and financially rewarding alternative to recoup expenses. Available to the millions of U.S. shoppers across Loop’s network of merchants, this partnership creates a path for consumers to quickly and easily resell non-returnable items on Poshmark, transforming a negative returns experience into a positive one while in turn creating new revenue streams for the merchants. This innovative resale integration is a first for Loop’s merchants, marking a significant step forward in the fashion industry’s efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

Retailers are grappling with the rising costs and environmental impact of returns, where many have tightened their return policies to mitigate these costs. During the holiday shopping period from November 1 – December 24, online spending grew 6.7% (Mastercard), and the total value of returns between December 26-30 increased 8% year-over-year (Loop). What’s more, during those five days alone, there was over $67.6 million of merchandise returned to Loop brands, and listings on Poshmark with “missed return” in the description grew nearly 50%. This surge in activity has amplified the challenges both retailers and consumers face, but has also presented a unique opportunity for innovation to minimize frustration and unnecessary waste.

“At Poshmark, we believe shopping and selling should be simple, social, and sustainable,” said Steven Tristan Young, Chief Marketing Officer at Poshmark. “After observing an increase in Poshmark listings mentioning missing the return window, we saw an opportunity to create a sustainable solution. Partnering with a market-leader like Loop allows us to offer resale as an alternative, creating a more convenient experience for both buyers and sellers, putting money back in their wallets, and keeping more items in circulation.”

This partnership is another example of how Poshmark is simplifying the resale experience by pioneering new tools to help its community succeed, and comes on the heels of its sellers collectively earning over $8 billion on the platform to date. What’s more, this partnership unlocks additional desirable inventory for Poshmark’s community to shop from Loop merchants, including Rothy’s, one of the most beloved brands on Poshmark.

“In partnership with Loop and Poshmark, we are redefining sustainable shopping,” said Dayna Quanbeck, President at Rothy’s. “Washable and remarkably durable, Rothy’s products are designed to stay in the loop as long as possible. Now with our Poshmark x Loop integration, we’re taking a step toward a truly circular fashion economy. By transforming non-returnable items into resale opportunities with just one click, we’re empowering our customers to reduce waste and extend the life of their Rothy’s. We’re proud to be at the forefront of offering practical, sustainable solutions for today’s shoppers.”

Loop’s U.S. merchants interested in enabling this experience for their consumers can do so with a simple click of a button in their Loop account. Once enabled, consumers who are initiating a return through their returns portal will see a “Resell on Poshmark” button next to any items that are not eligible for return. One click produces a complete, pre-filled listing on Poshmark with item details — a strong improvement from the previous experience, where the customer simply faced a dead-end.

“Loop’s collaboration with Poshmark exemplifies the future of returns, where ease of use meets sustainability,” said Hannah Bravo, CEO of Loop. “Together, we’re helping brands and consumers embrace resale as a simple, single-click experience, supporting a thriving circular economy while driving meaningful engagement and value for all.”

About Poshmark
Poshmark is a leading fashion resale marketplace powered by a vibrant, highly engaged community of buyers and sellers and real-time social experiences. Designed to make online selling fun, more social and easier than ever, Poshmark empowers its sellers to turn their closet into a thriving business and share their style with the world. Since its founding in 2011, Poshmark has grown its community to over 130 million users and generated over $10 billion in GMV, helping sellers realize billions in earnings, delighting buyers with deals and one-of-a-kind items, and building a more sustainable future for fashion. For more information, please visit www.poshmark.com, and for company news, visit newsroom.poshmark.com.

About Loop
Loop is the leading commerce operations platform optimizing returns, exchanges, and reverse logistics at scale for more than 4,000 of the world’s most-loved Shopify brands. Through innovative solutions like Workflows, Instant Exchanges, Shop Now, Bonus Credit, and Offset, Loop helps global brands unlock cost savings, increase customer lifetime value, and retain more revenue. Its enterprise-level service delivery and breadth of integration partners make Loop the most agile and resilient returns solution for any retail brand. Loop has processed over 55 million returns and counting and has helped merchants retain more than $2 billion in revenue over the past five years. Learn more at www.loopreturns.com.

Media Contacts
Poshmark: pr@poshmark.com
Loop: loop@walkersands.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/poshmark-announces-partnership-with-loop-to-transform-missed-returns-into-resale-opportunities-302344744.html

SOURCE Poshmark, Inc.

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